Signal lantern



Jan. 8, 1952 v B; MADSEN ETAL 2,581,803

SIGNAL LANTERN y File NOV. l2, 1947 2 SHEETS- SHEE' 1 fige Gttorneg Jan. 8, 1952 V, B MADSEN ErAL 2,581,803

y SIGNAL LANTERN Filed Nov. 12, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 /N VEN TOPS Patented `an. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,581,808 SIGNAL LANTERN Valclemar Becker Madsen and Anna Kirstlne Cathrine Adele Becker Madsen, Holte, Denmark Application November 12, 1947, Serial No. 785,396 In Denmark May 24, 1947 Our invention relates to a signal lantern, particularly for vehicles and other means of conveyance.

The object of the invention is to provide such a signal lantern comprising a number of illuminants of different colours and in which one or more of the said illuminants are visible both from in front and from the side of the lantern.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signal lantern comprising a number of illuminants of different colours, and in which one or more of the said illuminants are visible both from in iront and from the side of the lantern, whereas at least one of the said illuminants is visible substantially from in front of the lantern, only.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signal lantern of the afore-mentioned kind in which one or more comparatively large, illuminous, coloured surfaces are obtained at the side of the lantern.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signal lantern which when lighted can be seen from a long distance. f

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a signal lantern in which signalling by day is not disturbed by sunlight.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the drawings in which Figures 1, 2 and 3 show an embodiment of a lantern according to the invention in a front view. a side view and a plan view, respectively,

Figures 4 and 5 show the reflector plate and lamps in the lantern in a front view and in a side view, respectively,

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1,

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the glass taken on the line 'I-'I of Figure 1,

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the glass taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 1,

Figure 9 is a sectional view of the glass taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 3, and

Figure 10 is an isometric view of a single illuminant of the invention.

The embodiment of the lantern according to the invention shown consists of a lengthwise attened parabolic casing I with an open front where it is covered by a front plate I2 holding three glasses I4, I6 and I8 in position. The glasses I4 and I8 are arched andwhen seen from the front-of circular section, and the glass I6 is oblong and placed at a central position between the two first-mentioned glasses. The longitudinal sides of the glass I6 are. as will be seen from Fig. 1, concave and curved in accord- 2 Claims. (Cl. 177-329) 2 ance with the curvature of the circular I4 and I8.

Behind the front plate I2, which by means of a bead engages a groove on the lantern casing I0, is provided a plate 20, Figs. 4 and 5, into which are forced reilectors 22 and 24 of a parabolic form opposite the glasses I4.and I8, respectively. The top of the said .reflectors is provided with a neck 26 forming a socket for an electric bulb 28'. At a central position between the reectors 22 and 24 a third reector 30 is forced into the plate 29, the said-reflector being oblong in the transverse direction of the plate and of substantially paraboliform cross section. This reglasses ector is suitably provided with sockets 32 for a tubular lamp 34.

The side wall of each reector 22 and 24 is provided with a recess 36 located slightly above a horizontal plane through the axis of the reflector. From the said recess a reflecting surface 38 extends to the rear, see Fig. 5, projecting into the casing Ill close to the side wall of same. Opposite the said surface 38 the lantern casing is provided with a recess ltted with a slightly curved glass 40.

The glasses I4, I6 and I8 are of diiierent colours, the glass I4, for instance, being red, the glass I6 yellow and the glass I8 green. The coloured lights produced by switching on the appertaining lamps 28 may serve to signal changes in direction of movement, whereas the yellow colour produced by the glass I6 serves to indicate changes of speed.

The glasses I4 and I8 may, as is best seen in Fig. 3, consist of a part in the form of a spherical calotte 42 forming an angle with the axis of the corresponding reflector which is pressed integral with an obliquely cut off cylinder wall 44, the base of which is level with the front of the lantern and has a bead projecting outwards by means of which the glass is held in position by the front plate I2. The interior highest part of the cylinder wall is covered by a reflecting foil 46 which may be fastened to the plate 20, see Fig, 5, or be placed loosely in the cylinder wall 44 in such a manner that it covers the highest part of same, reflecting the light towards the recess 36. The foil 46 may have corrugations in the direction of the axis of the appertaining reilector. Y

The glasses 40 being of a considerable extent, the amount of laterally emitted light is substantial so that the upper and the lower illuminants are plainly visible, not only from in front, but from the side too.

The amount of laterally emitted light is fur- Yther increased owing to the oblique shape of the appertaining glasses.

The lantern can be mounted on the vehicle 01 other means of conveyance by means of a sup- 'port 48.

The term glass shall not be a limitation of the material used, but means here a transparent cover, preferably such as will allow the beams of light to pass without changing their direction. The said cover may conveniently consist of Va transparent, artificial material, e. g. plastic.

Alamp,.a;re1lector in which said lamp is placed, an

arched transparent cover .in the shape of aspherical calotte `disposed at an angle to the axis vof the said reector and located :on an obliquely cut off cylinder wall pressed integral with the said calotte, said reector and said lamp .being closely behind said cover., the base of said cylinder being level with the front of the lantern, the side wall of said reector'being provided with a recess opposite the highest part of said cylinder wall, a reflecting surface extending from the said recess towards the rear of the lantern casing and facing outwards towards the side of the lantern, a further transparent cover being fitted in the side wall of the lantern casing, opposite the said reflecting surface. f

2. A signal lantern according to claim 1, and wherein the interior of the highest part of said ycylinder wall is covered by a reflecting foil adapted .to reflect the light of the lamp to the same side as said reflecting surface.

VALDEMAR BECKER MADSEN. ANNA KIRSTINE CATl-IRINE A Y.ADELE BECKER MADSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 57,834 v`Cfrordon f May l0, 1921 1,130,393 Giese et al. Mar. .2, 1915 1,279,159 Riggs Sept. 17, 1918 1,380,155 McMahon May 31, 1921 1,552,188 Atkinson Sept. 1, 1925 1,735,403 MacCarthy Nov. 12, 1929 1,969,116 Bobroff Aug. 7, 1934 2,005,714 Bobroi June 18, 1935 

